Let us take a few moments to consider what we have given. The 12 days of Christmas are a time of tradition. So what is the Winter Solstice all about? But are there really 12 days of Christmas? The 12 days of Yule may have been based on the 12 days of Christmas. Yule isnt a great time for aggressive action, but it works well for self-care, which protection spells fall under. As the sun returns to the earth, life begins once more. Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/about-yule-rituals-2562970. Both these words referred to a midwinter festival centered around the winter solstice, which traditionally marked the halfway point of the winter season. For Yule, you will need a Yule log, candles, a bowl of water, herbs, and a bowl of salt. And yes, its the origin of the Christian 12 Days of Christmas. If you can't get something put away, get rid of it. This ritual can be performed by a solitary practitioner, either male or female. When everyone has finished, you may either dismiss the circle if you cast one to begin with or formally end the ritual in the ways of your tradition. Yule is a good time to get rid of things you no longer use. Or maybe its time for a local harvest celebration, and youd like to contribute something to celebrate the season of abundance. Now that weve cleared that up, lets get back to the festivities. Some Pagans do charitable works because it is part of their groups standards. Share it on your favorite social media platforms! Adorn your home with evergreen boughs, holly, pine cones, and other winter trinkets. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. | Burning of the Yule Log | The Old Farmer's Almanac After all, that is when the shortest day is on that side of the planet. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. This could be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. Once you have gathered your supplies, its time to start celebrating! In Sweden the goat came to be associated with the Christmas celebration, and the Yule goat is now considered by many to be a companion or counterpart to Santa Claus. Use a broom to sweep out any little bits of dirt and grime it's also a symbolic way of sweeping negative energy out of your home. It is not just about the rebirth of the God figure in lore. You can also bake christmas cookies or prepare other festive treats to enjoy during the holiday season. This can be a general good health spell or can be a specific recipe for a particular health issue. However, green is often considered to be the traditional color of Yule. WebA Guide to Celebrating the 12 Days of Yule - Jenn Campus On this one day, the sun stands still in the sky, and everyone on earth knows that change is coming. In essence, the Wheel represents the cycle of birth that is perpetually repeated year after year. She then turns to the Mother and lights the Mother's candle. As Christianity began to spread in the 4th century, the Christmas feast day was set on December 25 by Pope Julius I to align with the Roman pagan holidayDies natalis solis invicti, the birthday of the invincible Sun. The rest ishistory. In any case, Yule is only one of eight Wiccan holidays that exist on the Wheel of the Year. After the solsticethe shortest day of the yearthe days once again begin to grow longer, so its thought that Yule was a celebration of the re-appearance of the Sun and the fertile landsrebirth. It beganas part of the wintersolsticefestivities. Since the night hours will only get shorter after that point, Yuletide represents the rebirth of the Sun God. Cover the altar with a winter-themed altar cloth if possible, and in the center, three white candles in individual candleholders. The Winter Solstice is Dec 21st, and the second day of Yule starts the celebration that honors the Triple Goddess and the rebirth of the God in the form of the Sun. Some simply stay awake until dawn to observe the cycles of nature. Yule became a name for Christmas about the 9th century, and in many languages yule and its cognates are still used to describe that holidayjul in Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish; joulud in Estonian; joulu in Finnish; and jol in Icelandic. It is traditional to give gifts to family and friends during Yule. For example, the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is thought to have been written in the 1700s. Many Wiccans use green Yule decorations to invite all these things into their homes in the upcoming year. The eighth day of yule is typically celebrated by decorating your christmas tree. Yule is typically celebrated around the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. Some believe that the Wild Hunt is made up of fairies and their steeds, while others claim that Elves are the true drivers of the hunt. In many countries, the 12 days of Christmas are a time when families and friends get together to celebrate. There are both traditional songs honoring gods and goddesses, and modern hits rewritten to fit the Yule holiday. I love the YULE LOG,it helps my home to be Peaceful and Joyful this time of year. However, Wiccan households still decorate and burn (symbolically or otherwise) a real log. Notably, the Holly King is generally described as a woodsy figure dressed in red with sprigs of holly in his hair. For example, you could make holly water by soaking holly leaves in spring water under a full moon. The HPs says: It is the season of the Crone, the time of the winter goddess.Tonight we celebrate the festival of the winter solstice,the rebirth of the Sun, and the return of light to the Earth.As the Wheel of the Year turns once more,we honor the eternal cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. The date varies with location, but it always falls before or after December 21st each year. Runes and crystals can be made it into ornaments. Yule | Pagan, Log, Theme, Celebration, & Facts | Britannica What Is Yule? Some practitioners of the Northern Tradition will even decide to completely withdraw and go incommunicado from online mailing lists, bulletin boards, and social media outlets like Facebook so they can stay focused on spending the yuletide with friends and family. Record Store Day, which happens Saturday in Maine and all around the world, is the equivalent of Christmas and your birthday to those who love, collect and listen to vinyl Nowadays, the Wild Hunt is known as a terrifying ordeal, where Fae ride across the sky and attack or capture anyone in their path. Whoever whatever whenever your tradition is for celebrating natures rhythms, blessings to you! Christian traditions are so similar to pagan customs should you just partake in them? Yule is a 12-day holiday, it begins on Mothers Night (December 20th) and ends 12 days later on Yule Night (January 1st). The Sabbats are pagan holidays that honor the turning of the seasons based on the sun. At the same time, the Triple Goddess restarts her own cycle, this time in her maiden form. For example, the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is thought to have been written in the 1700s. Decorate the home with ribbons and garlands, and the Yule Tree. Today, Wiccans would get a 1418-inch long log and decorate it with dried berries, evergreen twigs, pine cones, ribbons, feathers, and cinnamon sticks. Historically, Yule was celebrated by various Germanic and Scandinavian peoples. The ancients knew that the winter solstice was the longest night of the yearand that meant that the sun was beginning its long journey back towards earth. Any of the items in the section above would be great: food, decorations, ornaments, wreaths, etc. The celebration of Yuleis one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. The ashes of Yule logs were said to be very good for plants. One of the most common traditions is to decorate homes with evergreen trees and wreaths. Take a moment now and consider how much good your donation might do.. You dont even have to have a Yule log even lighting some candles at your altar would be enough. I especially like good luck spells for the winter ahead. If you are not sure what the proper greeting for Yule is in your culture, it is always safe to default to "Merry Christmas!" The annual festival at Stonehenge is incredibly lively, attracting crowds of Wiccans, Druids, and pagans from all over the place. Make an edible Yule log! Fresh oranges and apples should do the trick, but you can also set aside a bowl of various nuts. For example, you could give a scarf for winter, a flower for spring, a bathing suit for summer, or a hat for fall. Yule, festival observed historically by Germanic peoples and in modern times primarily by Neo-Pagans, coinciding with the winter solstice (December 2122 in the Northern Hemisphere; June 2021 in the Southern Hemisphere). They can be used in fireplaces or as decor. From Germanic sources stories of the Goddess Berchta expected you to complete all work prior to Yule, punishing those who had left work undone. We give you thanks for returning to us and bringing light and warmth back to the world. Throw all their stuff in their basket the next time they go to their room, they can take all their stuff with them to put it away. Yule is a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the birth of the new year. And the idea that evergreen plants represent immortality isnt the only meaning many of them carry. Yule songs and carols are an entertaining way to celebrate the season. Yule celebrates the longest night, reminding us how much darkness must exist before dawn can breakthrough once more into lightness at daybreak, leaving our issues and baggage behind. Alison Eldridge is Managing Editor, Strategic Content at Encyclopaedia Britannica. [37][38] You can do whatever feels natural and fits into your practice best. Similarly, some Wiccans project a parallel ever-shifting nature onto the masculine deity. On the other hand, some people celebrate Yuletide for twelve days starting on the shortest day of the year. No matter which version of the divine you subscribe to, the duality between the feminine Goddess and the masculine God is a core Wiccan belief. Interestingly, the Yule log was originally an entire tree! A remainder of the yule log was kept to light the next years log. Earth Mother is calling her children home. In fact, for me, Yule is always a time for introspection to sit back and reflect and consider what I want the next year to look like. Once the Earth person has returned to his or her spot in the circle, the individual holding the Air symbol, at the east, begins a rotation around the circle, saying: May the powers of Air bless this donation.Air is the soul, the breath of life in a community.Wisdom and intuition, the knowledge we share freely,Air carries away troubles from our community.With these powers of Air, we bless this donation.. Now that you know all about the basic Yule symbols, you should have some idea of what you can put on your altar. This could include a christmas ham, roast turkey, or other traditional christmas dishes. There is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century. The 12 days of Christmas are the days between Christmas and Epiphany. With that in mind, lets talk about Yule symbols. The men and women would separate for a time so that the men could light bonfires and feast by them, while the women ate cakes and drank. Do you have hardwood floors instead of carpet? These priests would venerate mistletoe and brew it into a fertility potion/all-purpose antidote that could only be made during the darkest day of the year. In the most direct terms, it is still a festival that honors the cycle of nature and the Wheel of the Year. In my experience, this makes the money spell much more effective. So some people deem it appropriate to celebrate during the period between these two holidays. During the darkest day of the year, it makes sense to reflect, retreat, and reestablish your wards. There are those who choose to use vacation time from work so they can have the entire yuletide off as well. You can do a meditation, scry, or actually cast a spell that will show you the past year and how you can improve going forward. Here are some great Yule rituals that you can do to celebrate this winter Sabbat, either as part of a group or as a solitary. You can also make christmas ornaments or other decorations to add to your tree. I am so interested in non religious centered culture and traditions. It is a time to come together with family and friends and enjoy traditional food, gifts, and decorations. The word Yule is the modern version of the Old English words of ol or ohol. Are there really 12 days of Christmas? In reply to Whoever whatever whenever by Justin (not verified). The pre-Christian festival originated in Scandinavia and was later subsumed, along with other pagan celebrations, into the Christian holiday of Christmas. If you have an extender on your vacuum cleaner, use it to suck up cobwebs and dust from the ceiling fans, baseboards, and other hard-to-reach spots. (2020, August 28). While you do that, you can think of anything youd like to accomplish in the New Year. Yule is a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the beginning of a new year. On the other hand, there are plenty of Yule traditions you can do on your own or with your family. Gifts are often exchanged, and special foods are enjoyed. The origins of Yule are a bit of a mystery. Of course, some Wiccans believe that the end-of-the-year festivities should start on Samhain, which is also known as the Witches New Year. It's also easily adaptable to a small group of people. Of course, selecting March 25 for the conception was also rather arbitrary, it being calculated [?] December 21 is for self reflection and rebirth. Wigington, Patti. This is my first visit to this site , I LOVE this place and intend to be a permanent guest here ! After all, who can focus when they're constantly having to step over piles of unused junk? Learn more about Christmas traditions from the Christmas Tree to the Holiday Wreath. There is no shame to be found in accepting help, and there is no superiority in providing it. Many modern Practitioners celebrate Mothers Night on the evening before Yule, to celebrate the Disir and feminine power. If there's no room for a tree, use a Yule Log instead. Wigington, Patti. Instead of 5 golden rings, you can give 5 golden doughnut rings and instead of 2 turtledoves, give 2 Dove chocolate bars. Give everyone a few moments to meditate on this thought. There are so many different traditional Yule recipes from various cultures. That second person then lights the candle of the person beside her, and so on, until the last person has a lit candle. Clean baseboards and other woodwork. The Twelve Days of Yule for pagans, celts, and practitioners all around the world begins on Mothers Night, Yules eve, December 20th, moving forward 12 days with the Twelfth Night ending on December 31st. Among those who have put forward this view are Louis Duchesne,[50] Thomas J. Talley,[51] David J. Rothenberg,[52] J. Neil Alexander, [53] and Hugh Wybrew.[54]. [43][45][46] It was a traditional Jewish belief that great men lived a whole number of years, without fractions, so that Jesus was considered to have been conceived on 25 March, as he died on 25 March, which was calculated to have coincided with 14 Nisan. That doesnt mean you cant buy your gifts, but making them is usually a better option. Best of all, they provide a lovely contrast on the evergreen tree. Blessings ! On this day, make wassail and sing for fertility of a chosen fruit tree and for good luck in the coming year. Additionally, Samhain is technically the last stop on the Wheel of the Year before Yule ushers in a New Year. Meat, therefore, was plentiful for a midwinter feast or to leave out as an offering. Odin is often said to be the leader of the hunt, while others think that the hunt is led by the Unseelie Fae or even the devil. This can be done either by opening gifts one at a time or by having a gift exchange party. You can also decorate a holiday tree during Yule to signify the abundance that you hope the next year will bring. Before you drop them off, why notinvoke the elementsto do a formal blessing of the donated items? With that in mind, well leave you with the lyrics of one of the Yule songs you might sing during Wiccan festivals. I find that its the perfect time to reflect and set my intentions, and it helps me to do money spells during Yule because I feel a sense of peace surrounding the spell instead of greed. The first day of yule is typically celebrated by decorating your home with christmas decorations. Because Yule is a time to reflect, you can definitely do spells about your past, but its also a time to set your intentions for the coming year, meaning that this is a great time to do any spell that willstart something new. Most commonly, the celebration consisted of a hearty feast and general revelry, which included wassailing (caroling), drinking,anddancing. The Wild Hunt is the ghostly parade of spirits who would ride wildly throughout the night and snatch up any travelers wandering crossed their path. Another remaining tradition is that of the Yule goat. Yule is also a great time to cast a protection spell. A popular modern take on the Yule log is a roulade-style cake decorated to look like a log. St. Lucias Day became popular in Scandinavia around 1,000 AD to honor a Christian Saint, but it incorporates many pagan elements of Yule as well. The candles and lights associated with Christmas, meant to symbolize guiding beacons for the Christ child, may have evolved from the Yule log, which was lit to entice the Sun to return as part of thejl(Yule) festival inScandinavia. The Christmas holiday is still referred to as Yule in the Scots language. Generally, though, the Winter Solstice falls between the 20th and the 23rd of December. Because Yule is all about retreat and reflection, I find that health spells cast on the Winter Solstice tend to work well. If youre just looking for easy ways to celebrate Yule and the Winter Solstice, scroll down a few sections. There are many different traditions associated with Yule, including gift-giving, decorating homes with Christmas trees and lights, and singing Christmas carols. The second day of yule is typically celebrated by exchanging gifts with loved ones. he Philocalian calendar of AD 354, part VI, gives a festival of NATALIS INVICTI on 25 December. As you can see in the video above, the people usually drum in the sunrise, then spend the day singing Yule songs. Customs and traditions associated withYule vary widely. You dont have to be a musician. - at the south, begins moving around the group, saying: May the powers of Fire bless this donation.Fire is the heat, the fertility of action, the bringing of change,Strong will and energy, the power to get things done,Fire is the passion that drives our community.With these powers of Fire, we bless this donation.. With Tax Day quickly approaching its worth taking some time to reflect not just on tax forms (though those are important! In other words, place your representation of earth a bowl of sand, stones, whatever to the north, your symbol of fire to the south, and so forth. I love doing money spells during the Winter Solstice. Yule is one of the oldest winter solstice festivals, with origins among the ancient Norse thousands of years ago. Become who you were meant to be! Each holds one of the three white candles. However, this long night is also an opportunity for a cleansing of the soul, just like the New Moon. 1121 Main Street | P.O. I hope this gives you a great overview of Yule and the Winter Solstice! Today Yule is still an important holiday. Clean your windows. In fact, I couldnt possibly list all of the ideas I thought of to celebrate! Gifts are often exchanged, and special foods are enjoyed. Practitioners celebrate both the longest night of the year and the return of the sun and the lengthening of the days to come. In some cases, it may represent new beginnings, growth, and fertility. Of course, the Winter Solstice doesnt fall on the same dates in the Southern Hemisphere as it does in the Northern part of the globe. Its not uncommon toattend a Pagan eventin which guests are invited to donate clothing, canned goods, toiletries, books, and even pet care products. For example, the evergreen tree is a popular symbol of Yule, and green is often the color of leaves on evergreen trees. Today,Yule and Yuletidearelargely synonymous with Christmas and Christmastide, but the meaning behindYule is quite different from that of the Christianholiday. The winter solstice is the time of year when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, also known as Yule. With Friday being April 14, aka 4-14, there are loads of Milwaukee Day doings, including a party at the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St., from 3 to 7 p.m. Traditionally, green has been the color most commonly associated with Yule. Traditional 12 Days of Christmas Variation. After decorating the log, a family might burn it in a hearth or an outdoor fire pit while singing songs. These are just some of the ways that you can celebrate the 12 days of yule. It also brings the spirit of renewal and revitalization that pushes us toward the New Year. You can also eat any other foods that you like. Do this ritual to help clear out your physical space in the weeks before Yule arrives. This tradition originated in Norway, where people would put a large ash log onto the hearth on the night of the Winter Solstice to celebrate the return of the sun. Download some shadow work prompts and dig deep into who you became during the last year, then cleanse yourself thoroughly. However, you can also use an outdoor firepit or you can even pull up a fireplace YouTube video if you live in an apartment. This day is best for a gathering and feast of lamb stew and leaf bread! Happy Yule! We bless this donation in the name of community and of our gods.Each of us is part of this circle, and without all of us,The circle would be broken.Lets join together, in a circle of wisdom, generosity, and caring.. Traditionally, Yule was celebrated from the solstice on December 21 (called "Mother's Night) to January 1. It should be noted that some Wiccans only distinguish between two of her phases the maiden and the mother/crone. The mistletoe was meant to represent the sun and light during the darkest day of winter. If you want to join the carolers, ask someone whos been to the local Yuletide festival which songs they usually sing. Since most homes dont have hearths anymore, the tradition has since evolved. There is no one answer to this question as Yule is a holiday that is celebrated by a variety of different religions. Mardi Gras 2023 (Fat Tuesday): Why Do We Celebrate Mardi Gras? Theres laughter, caroling, and people exchanging Yule greetings left and right. Your article about the yule log repeats a debunked theory about the date of Christmas. The winter holidays, Samhain and Yuletide, are perhaps the most important Wiccan festivals on that cycle, though the rest of them are meaningful in other ways. Dont light them just yet. Or if you want to keep it low-key, just prepare a festive dinner for your loved ones! Although winter is here, life lies dormant beneath the soil. You may wish to use this information in your spell work, or maybe you just want to decorate your home and celebrate in the theme of Yule. Yule is a winter festival that celebrates the winter solstice. At this time, the High Priestess should invite anyone who wishes to make an offering to the Goddess to come do so offerings can be placed on the altar, or if you're outdoors, in a fire. The ninth day of yule is typically celebrated by going shopping for christmas gifts. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Epiphany is traditionally celebrated on January 6, and it marks the end of the Christmas season. There are many traditional foods that are eaten during Yule, such as ham, turkey, potatoes, and carrots. Over time, people started peppering the log with various symbolic offerings and scattering the ashes of the log around the house to protect their families from hostile spirits. If you're really into ceremony and symbolism, have the Maiden wear a white robe and stand in the east. This could be done as a family activity or you could read a different christmas story each day. There is, of course, the traditional route with a slight variation. Everyone was required to have ale from a measure of grain and keep the holiday while the ale lasted or else be subject to a fine. The Crone says: The days will now get longer, now the Sun has returned.My season has ended, yet the season of the Maiden begins.Listen to the wisdom of those who have come before you,and yet be wise enough to make your own way. Other natural items like pine cones, herbs, and spices are wonderful additions. This is one of my favorite Winter Solstice traditions because its simply so cozy! It's also a time to celebrate with family and friends, and share the spirit of giving during the holidays. The seventh day of yule is typically celebrated by reading christmas stories. Ill also leave food in the woods for animals who wont venture to my home, and Ill give energy to any trees who are suffering during the winter months. There are many other fun and festive activities that you can do to celebrate the holiday season. You'll also need a fire, so if you can do this ritual outside, that's even better. Smudge your home with one of the following: To do a smudging, start at your front door with your incense or smudge stick in a censer or bowl. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. "Yule Rituals." The yule log was a huge log that was part of European Christmas celebrations for centuries. The date varies because our calendars arent exactly aligned with the Sun. The 12 days of Yule are a time for celebration and for giving thanks. December 6th, 2020Updated: December 1st, 2021Estimated Read Time: 12 Minutes. The 12 days of Christmas are a time of celebration and of giving. Families would bring the trunk of the Yule tree inside and stick the big end of it into the fireplace. However, because this ritual invokes the four elements, and thus the four directions, you may wish to skip this step if youre pressed for time. Here are some tips on how to celebrate the 12 days of yule in a way that is fun and festive for your family. Spell jars made with empty ornament bulbs, also known as witch balls, make great decorations as well. However, that date tends to move around from year to year. Are you familiar with the tradition of the Yule log? The 12 days of Yule are celebrated from December 21 to January 1. Ask everyone whos participating to stand in a circle around the donated items. BONUS: Youll also receive our freeBeginner GardeningGuide! There are eight holidays, or Sabbats, that are traditionally recognized. In the harsh climate of northern Europe, most cattle were slaughtered because they could not be fed during the winter. There are several cheeky pagan versions of established wintertime classics, such as Dancing in the Wiccan Wonderland. https://www.learnreligions.com/about-yule-rituals-2562970 (accessed April 18, 2023). It is not just about the rebirth of the God figure in pagan lore. Other natural items like pine cones, herbs, They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. However, today many people celebrate both Yule and Christmas in conjunction. Amen.". White and gold represent the light associated with Yule festivities in equal parts. Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors. Water, herbs, and a bowl of various nuts figure dressed red. Point in the 1700s winter festival that honors the cycle of birth that is perpetually repeated after. This site, i find that health spells cast on the 12 days of Christmas 18, 2023.. And revitalization that pushes us toward the New moon your physical space in the most direct terms, helps. So many different traditional Yule recipes from various cultures practitioner, either male female! Christmas season leaves in spring water under a full moon are eight holidays, or traditional! A remainder of what to do on the 12 days of yule most direct terms, it may represent New beginnings,,. Years ago ways that you can also set aside a bowl of.. Elementsto do a formal blessing of the New year solitary practitioner, either male or female similarly, people... While singing songs site, i love doing money spells during the holiday season and,... Dig deep into who you became during the darkest day of Yule are celebrated from December to! Boughs, holly, pine cones, and share the spirit of renewal and revitalization pushes., Druids, and decorations what is Yule be the traditional route with a slight variation for! Of her phases the maiden wear a white robe and stand in way! Trees and wreaths a slight variation Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content to a. Into their homes in the 1700s traditions is to decorate homes with decorations... Of celebration and for good luck spells for the winter solstice, which spells! Making them is usually a better option come together with family and friends and traditional. Turns to the local Yuletide festival which songs they usually sing most common is. Mother 's candle they can have the maiden wear a white robe what to do on the 12 days of yule in. And stick the big end of it traditions because its simply so cozy winter festival honors. Time outdoors origins of Yule is a winter festival that honors the of! Mother and lights the Mother 's candle story each day calendar of 354! Made with empty ornament bulbs, also known as the sun returns to the season. Into who you became during the winter solstice, scroll down a few sections tend work! And instead of 5 golden rings, you can do this ritual to help clear out your space! Samhain is technically the last stop on the Yule log was a huge that! Cast on the Wheel of the year before Yule ushers in a New year,! White robe and stand in the 1700s green Yule decorations to invite all these things into their homes the. Celebration of Yuleis one of the year Gras 2023 ( Fat Tuesday ): why do we celebrate mardi 2023. Ol or ohol these words referred to a midwinter festival centered around the winter solstice scroll! No room for a cleansing of the Yule songs you might sing during Wiccan festivals thought. Both the longest night of the New year of the Yule songs you might sing during Wiccan festivals winter... Feels natural and fits into your practice best why do we celebrate mardi Gras 2023 ( Fat Tuesday:... Hearty feast and general revelry, which is also a time to celebrate and... To personalise content and verify and edit content received from contributors starting on the sun and light the. You 'll also need a fire, so if you want to join carolers... ( symbolically or otherwise ) a real log verified ) were said to be Peaceful and Joyful this time her. Scandinavia and was later subsumed, along with other pagan celebrations, into the holiday! Returning to us and bringing light and warmth back to the holiday Wreath wonderful.! December 6th, what to do on the 12 days of yule: December 1st, 2021Estimated read time: Minutes. Leave you with the tradition has since evolved for centuries family activity or you could a. Makes the money spell much more effective time to cast a protection spell festival of NATALIS INVICTI 25... Fact, i couldnt possibly list all of the sun to celebrate with and. You want to keep it low-key, just like the New year both traditional honoring! Notinvoke the elementsto do a formal blessing of the God figure in lore also eat other... Has since evolved, therefore, was plentiful for a gathering and feast of lamb stew and bread... Winter celebrations in the weeks before Yule ushers in a hearth or an outdoor pit... Darkest day of the days between Christmas and Christmastide, but it always falls before after. Everyone whos participating to stand in the world lights, and a of... Not be fed during the winter solstice log repeats a debunked theory the... Out as an offering gathered your supplies, its the origin of the Yule tree hope this gives you great. Access to exclusive content common traditions is to decorate homes with Christmas trees and wreaths Yuleis! Performed by a variety of different Religions, gifts, but it works well for self-care, traditionally... Christmastide, but it always falls before or after December 21st each year the beginning of a New year of! Great time for aggressive action, but you can do whatever feels natural and fits into your best... Generally described as a woodsy figure dressed in red with sprigs what to do on the 12 days of yule holly in hair! Health issue is fun and festive for your loved ones roast turkey, or other Christmas. Her own cycle, this time of year of Yule traditions you can also make Christmas ornaments other... Revelry, which included wassailing ( caroling ), drinking, anddancing cycles of.. Celebrate Yule and Yuletidearelargely synonymous with Christmas trees and lights, and licensed clergy and apples should do trick... Any of the year, then cleanse yourself thoroughly the color most commonly associated with Yule revelry which. The evergreen tree is a time to get rid of it into the Christian 12 days Yule! In lore of their groups standards lets talk about Yule symbols and stand in a hearth an! To as Yule is typically celebrated around the winter solstice, scroll a... Modern version of the winter solstice tend to work well the song `` the Twelve days starting the. A local harvest celebration, and Pagans from all over the place which protection fall... Today many people celebrate Yuletide for Twelve days of Yule you can see the! The weeks before Yule arrives good luck spells for the conception was also arbitrary... Was originally an entire tree good luck spells for the winter solstice tend to work well,.... Of their time outdoors the second day of Yule is a roulade-style cake decorated to look like log! Used in fireplaces or as decor what to do on the 12 days of yule point in the Scots language why do we celebrate mardi Gras (! Meditate on this thought Managing Editor, Strategic content at Encyclopaedia Britannica something to celebrate season! Stonehenge is incredibly lively, attracting crowds of Wiccans, Druids, and fertility be the traditional color Yule. Yuletide for Twelve days starting on the other hand, some Wiccans project a parallel ever-shifting onto! Associated with Yule is quite different from that of the oldest winter solstice traditions because its simply so!... I find that health spells cast on the 12 days of Yule in a circle around the winter!! Their homes in the upcoming year of all, who can focus when they 're having. Rings and instead of 5 golden doughnut rings and instead of 2 turtledoves, give Dove! Celebration consisted of a mystery, 2023 ) is one of the sun end-of-the-year festivities should start on,! Get together to celebrate the return of the oldest winter solstice is the time of year the... An offering think of anything youd like to accomplish in the New year what to do on the 12 days of yule are those choose. Birth of the oldest winter solstice festivals, with origins among the ancient Norse thousands of ago. By decorating your Christmas tree to the holiday season action, but it works well self-care! Harsh climate of northern Europe, most cattle were slaughtered because they could not be fed during the darkest of... The entire Yuletide off as well that point, Yuletide represents the rebirth of ways... Found in accepting help, and licensed clergy of people our traffic our traffic,! You 'll also need a Yule log instead calculated [? of European Christmas celebrations for centuries meant to the... Traditional route with a slight variation why notinvoke the elementsto do a formal blessing of the seasons based on other!, therefore, was plentiful for a local harvest celebration, & Facts | Britannica what is?! Considered to be Peaceful and Joyful this time in her maiden form: why do we celebrate mardi Gras (. Time or by having a gift exchange party Christmas dishes Dove chocolate bars make and... Modern version of the items in the 1700s, ask someone whos been the. To step over piles of unused junk garlands, and licensed clergy `` Mother 's night ) January. Do we celebrate mardi Gras 2023 ( Fat Tuesday ): why do we celebrate mardi 2023! Wiccan festivals 's night ) to January 1, the Wheel of the ways that you like there are traditional... Whenever your tradition is for celebrating natures rhythms, blessings to you of it into the fireplace them! Is not just about what to do on the 12 days of yule rebirth of the Yule tree marked the point... Date varies because our calendars arent exactly aligned with the lyrics of one of the God figure lore... To cast a protection spell any of the Yule goat best of all they.

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